Lame PSA’s blamed for Drug Use

This is a really good question. Been there, did that growing up in the late 60's. Not sure any message would have gotten through to us. If they'd said, "you're going to get really screwed up", we'd probably say, "heck, yes, that's the point!". Not really sure if consequences were on our minds.

It seems that the message needs to be a positive one, a "Try this" instead of "Don't do that."

Kids in the 15-25 age range are managing a few basic issues: Who am I? Where do I fit in? What am I supposed to do next? Is there a place for me in the world?

The more difficulty one has managing these issues and the greater the gap between where one is and where they'd like to be sets the stage for managing stress with alcohol and drugs.

If we could figure out ways to address the gaps and holes in a person's self-image, then we'd have at least a path for them to pursue. However, most of the focus seems to be on "escape" through games, media, music, or other means.

Kids don't really need help escaping, they need help arriving. And it's just not friggin' easy. What they need are paths to develop and strengthen their self image, be it sports, studies, music, work, art, whatever...

The bottom line message with kids is this.
"You count. You matter. You can make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others."

If kids want an insight, they can visit any old folks' home, wander the halls, and stop and talk for 10 minutes to the first person who smiles at them. Do this three times and then ask yourself these simple questions. "Do I matter? Can I help? Can I make a difference?" If a young person can answer these questions with a "Yes!", they will be a long way toward narrowing the gap between where they are and where they'd like to be in figuring our where they're supposed to go in their life.

Bulletin to young people:
"The entire world is a place of pain and suffering which is counting on you to figure out how you can help."

If kids can focus on the difference they can make in the world, they'll be less likely to seek escape through drugs, alcohol, and other paths..

Simple to say. Hard to do. But difficulty was never a very good reason for not doing the right thing...

Good luck...

Aloha, jim

When I was growing up there was a lot of emphasis on "Just Say NO". They went on to tell you ridiculous dangers about things like pot that, till this very day, I can't believe are true.

I just feel like there needs to be more public awareness about some of the red flag reasons that people use drugs/alcohol that could be indicating a possibility of a future problem.

Kids are going to experiment with drugs and alcohol. I know that showing me PSA's which included things like telling me my brain was going to fry...wasn't a deterrent for me.

What I was never made aware of were any kind of signs to look out for that my drugging/drinking wasn't the normal teenage variety.

There is a great video clip by Dr. Robert Lefever called The "Normals", The Idiots and The Addicts in which he describes that it's not really how people drink that define whether or not they have a drinking problem...it's the why.

I have known people that abuse alcohol on a regular basis that are not alcoholics. What's the difference between abusing alcohol and having a drinking problem? It's the reasons that they drink. I drink/use drugs for very different reasons then the alcohol abuser.

I feel like if we could somehow make children more aware of the difference...everyone would be a lot better off.

Erin got me curious